Kaitenzushi Nemuro Hanamaru

Kaitenzushi Nemuro Hanamaru often shows the longest line in CTS Domestic

In the Domestic terminal at New Chitose, Nemuro Hanamaru is the sushi place with a queue that regularly snakes past neighboring shops, especially around 12:00–14:00 and again after 18:00. It’s a mid-range spot ($$) with a solid 4-star reputation, and many flyers say the quality lands close to the Sapporo city branches. This is conveyor-belt sushi, but the fish feels more “Hokkaido proper” than typical airport fare.

Most plates run in the ¥150–¥500 range, with premium items and seasonal neta climbing higher. The move here is local fish: try sanma, ikura, or seasonal crab when it’s on the belt, and don’t skip anything labeled from Nemuro or Kushiro. Regulars focus on Hokkaido-only catches that you’re unlikely to see at national chains. If something you want isn’t circulating, flag staff and order direct; it usually lands within a few minutes.

Nemuro Hanamaru sits airside in the Domestic area, so you need a boarding pass in hand before you eat. Lines over 60 minutes are common at peak lunch and dinner, and there’s a numbered ticket system so you can wander nearby while you wait. Fans head straight here right after check‑in to pull a ticket, then loop back after browsing souvenir shops. Off‑peak windows around 10:30–11:30 or 15:00–17:00 see more like 15–30 minute waits and still decent belt variety.

Watch out for the time creep: it’s easy to overshoot a boarding call when plates keep landing. Some diners also note that prices on high-end cuts run a bit higher than city branches, especially fatty tuna and specialty crab. Still, for an airport restaurant in CTS Domestic, the quality-to-price ratio sits in the sweet spot. Final tip: build a 90‑minute buffer before your flight, grab a ticket as soon as you clear security, and treat the wait as part of the meal plan, not an afterthought.